U.S. President Donald Trump (R) laughs with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

RAMALLAH, Feb 16 — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday he agreed with US President Donald Trump’s call on Israel to “pull back” on settlement building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

A written statement issued by Abbas’s office said that the “presidency demands that (Israel) agree to (Trump’s call), and that of the international community, to halt all settlement activities including in occupied East Jerusalem.”

Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint news conference in the White House that “I’d like to see you pull back on settlements for a little bit.” — Reuters